Behind the scenes of Mediacorp's realistic hospital set, where almost every TV drama ends up

The Mediacorp hospital set, complete with functioning beds, heartbeat monitors, and authentic hospital equipment, serves as a versatile backdrop for numerous TV dramas. Actors Felicia Chin, Romeo Tan, Jeffrey Xu, James Seah, Meixin, and others have all filmed scenes in the set during their careers. The drama Brighter Days, starring Chin and Tan, features multiple hospital scenes spanning different eras, reflecting the reality of life and the need to portray genuine experiences for audiences.

Mediacorp senior art director Chen Jia Gu revealed that the hospital set is continuously evolving to accommodate various story requirements. The set is often booked by multiple productions at once, enabling it to be customisable according to the specific needs of each drama. Despite the challenge of filming in real hospitals, the set remains highly realistic, using authentic equipment to immerse actors in their roles.

The heartbeat monitor, in particular, is considered the standout piece, contributing to the atmosphere with its incessant beep.

Building the set requires meticulous planning and engineering, as Chin explained. Detailed floor plans, construction drawings, and 3D models are created to help all departments visualise the space, ensuring safety and efficiency in production. A notable aspect of the set is the absence of ceilings, installed due to safety concerns but requiring careful camera angles to avoid unwanted visibility of studio rafters.

The set's adaptability is demonstrated in the production of Brighter Days, which transitions between 1996 and 2026, utilizing wooden bed heads and vinyl stickers to evoke different eras.

The authenticity of the hospital set even allows actors to relax and sleep while filming, as Meixin discovered while lying unconscious in the hospital bed. Despite the demanding nature of their work, the hospital set provides a space where actors can momentarily escape and recharge.